The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-10

ana brave, followed close AZ tnslr neei5.
Nothing remained to oppose them but sin
gle line Of infantry, which they might well
suppose would Join the retreating columns.
never shall forget the scene, which beg
CARS description. Of the retreat OF the Third
corps, one division Of which, Humphreys.
passed over our regiment as we were lying
fiat on our faces. First came the stragglers
and wounded. then the division en- mGsse.
Some Of their men were completely whip
ped. while others were unconquered and un-
conquerable. And as they passed over US
some coald say'Run boys. we're whipped, tho
day is lost" Others cried out with tears Of 10y
streaming from their eyes at finding our
line there In position. Hang to 1t boys. give
it to them. Wen form In the rear and they
did. Another moment and they had passed
us. Then we heard above the din Of battle
the command Of our Colonel TO Give It TO
them.' and we sprang to our feet and sent
sudden volley into the teeth Of the advancing
enemy, but few rods distant, who must
have thought that God had suddenly raised
from the earth an army to oppose their
march. We poured volley after volley at
them, loading and firing as rapidly as we
could; yet on they came, slowly, sullenly.
but still onward. Their fire was making
fearful havoc in our ranks. Were our bull
lets Furnishing them as severely? We could
not tell. Our left flank became badly ex-
posed. To remain longer In that position
was destruction. To attempt change Of
line by throwing the left to the rear was
most desperate expedient None but the
bravest troops could perform that movement
at such a time. But each man Of the regi-
ment knew that il we gave way there would
be nothing to oppose the further advance OF
the enemy. And so 1t was that our colonel
had the sagacity to command, and his troops
the courage to execute the most difficult and
dangerous movement in the midst Of the
terrible conflict. But we now had the adj
vantage Of position, and though whole d.
vision Of warriors opposed us, we were as
unmoveable as the ridge upon which we
stood. Their snail-like pace was at last
checked, and as the smoke Of battle lifted
for an instant a moment later,-it seemed
but moment,--it showed us their ranks In
confusion. That instant Col. Heath jumped
to the front with one short command, "Come
on boys" and of we started like tornado
let loose, down the hill across the field at the
heels Of the enemy, yelling all the time at
the top Of our voices. until we had nearly
reached the Peach Orchard and had captured
many hundreds Of the enemy and one stand
of colors, and retaken with our own hands
two pieces Of artillery which the rebels had
taken from the Third Corps few hours be-
fore. And this closed that glorious. days
saved by the valor Of the men Of the Nine
tenth Maine.
That night, July I'd. we bivouacked on the
field. The next no engagement took place
on our part Of our line. which was the left
centre, during the whole forenoon. Four
companies Of our regiment. under command
Of Captain Fogler, were deployed as skirm-
ishers In front Of our division. AT 2 o'clock
in the afternoon the enemy opened upon
our line the most terrific fire Of large numbsx
Of guns, estimated from 12j to 80, and con-
tinued 1t for an hour and forty-fye minutes.
Our guns. to the number Of 20 pieces. re-
piled. Gen. Meade and the corps command
ers. in their testimony before the Congress
sional committee on the conduct Of the war,
call it, considering the number OF guns en-
ployed and the time consumed the most ter
rife canonading they ever witnessed. II not
the heaviest ever known. We lay fiat on
our faces between these two lines Of artill-
cry. 1t seemed as though had knitting
needle stood on end it would have been shot
off dozen times in as many minutes. 1t was
a positive relief when the infantry Of the
enemy advanced upon US Pickett's CHARGE
which they did with force estimated from
1900 to 5000 men. When the rebel infan-
try came within range, we up and at 'em.
Though could see men falling thick and
fast around me, knew our guns were max
ing worse havoc In their ranks. Still they
moved on, determined to conquer,-brave
men every one-crossing our works few
rods to the right Of us, doubling back. BY
the mere force Of ayoirdupois, our single
line Of infantry there posted. Our line rolled
back very much the same as piece OF birch
bark when one end Is placed In the fire.
Then such scene followed. We were all
loading and firing and yelling and pushing
towards the gap now filed with the exultant
rebels. Company, regimental and brigade
organizations were lost, and we were
great crowd. We would load, run to the
front and fire, then others would jump In
front of US and fire, and color bearers,
always at the front. would toss their colors
up and down to show the enemy that We
were not going to give it up, and to encour-
age us on. The ground was covered with
arms Of every description. Suddenly l
found myself rushing with all our crowd
upon the enemy with an impetuosity that
was irresistible. and the day was ours. Many
of the rebels fled but thousands were can
tnred.
OF the 44O officers and men who went into
battle II officers and 20 men were among tho
killed and wounded.